11/17/2024
6 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT PHO YOU MAY NOT REALIZE
Needless to say, Phα» has a significant meaning in Vietnamese cuisine. While its international popularity already engages itself with an iconic presentation, smell and cooking method, is there anything else about Phα» that you have missed? In this article, we are going to share with you 6 facts about Phα», with more fascinating findings.
1. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner - You can eat Phα» noodle soup anytime
Phα» noodle soup can be found at any time of the day, even at midnight! It is considered as an all-in-one dish for everyone. Itβs nutritious, soul-warming, and the safest choice if you have a weak stomach or fever. Setting aside the technical "Phα»-losophy" in Vietnamese cuisine, it is simply a bowl of comfort food that everybody can enjoy whenever they want.
2. Phα» BΓ² (Beef Phα») is symbolic but cannot tell you everything about Phα» today
Phα» may be the reason why visitors come to Vietnam. It is forever a must-try noodle dish that Vietnamese locals would recommend to you without even thinking. A steaming hot soup bowl filled with long white strands of rice noodles, a few slices of beef in different cuts, a lot of green onion and the smell of aromatic spices in the broth,... has been the signature of Vietnamese cuisine for so many years but, has sparked an incomplete conception about Phα» nowadays. The evolution of Phα» has flourished after the wartime. As a result, the world-known Beef Phα» became just a kind among other delicious Phα» dishes, although its popularity has not been beaten up until now. In the past, Phα» is just a noodle soup but now, it can also be the name of the noodle in different kinds of dishes.
3. Phα» is also the short name of the noodle
To address the name in full, it is βBΓ‘nh Phα»β that represents the noodles in the same-name dish. The word βPhα»β itself speaks out that it is not all about the broth, the meat, and perhaps the condiment you saw from the famous Phα» BΓ² (Beef Phα») but it is also about the presence of the noodle and its diverse manifestations in other dishes. It is the same as βBΓΊnβ (Vermicelli noodles), in which you are able to taste countless dishes with the name starting with βBΓΊnβ. See more plates of BΓΊn and other rice noodles here, and if you are interested in Phα» multiple dishes, make sure you continue reading the rest of our blog.
4. Phα» in different regions of Vietnam has different ingredients and flavors
Itβs normal to see everything change in Vietnam. If you have a chance to travel across Vietnam from North to South, youβll see the climate, the terrain, the minorities change, and the cuisine as well. Vietnamese people creatively alter their food based on the regional taste, ingredients and culture, and Phα» - the national dish of the country is not an exception.
While beef and chicken Phα» noodle soup are more popular, what about pork lovers? Can you find Pork Phα» in Vietnam? Our answer is yes, although itβs not common. Travel to northern provinces like Bac Ha, Ha Giang, Sapa, Lang Son where they serve Phα» Chua (Sour Phα») - Phα» noodles with charsiu pork, pickled mustard green and a sour dressing. Moreover, while exploring the local tribal market somewhere in this mountainous area, you can find roasted pork Phα» as well to diversify your Phα»-nominal food journey.
Especially in Lang Son where Vietnam borders China, duck Phα» is the most popular because this place is proud of its roasted duck dish. The broth is fragrant with bone and juice from the roasted ducks. The meat has an appealing amber color on the skin, very shiny and tender.
5. Hanoi Phα» vs Saigon Phα» has been the iconic discussion
Besides its history, the biggest controversial argument over Phα» BΓ² centers around how Hanoian and Saigonese enjoy the dish. It is actually one of the things that make these 2 metropolises so unique to each other. What differentiates these 2 versions?
Speaking of the broth, the Northern version has a clearer, lighter liquid while Southern people prefer it brown-colored, stronger in spices, and sweeter. The noodles used in Hanoi Pho tend to be flatter and wide while the Saigon version is a bit thicker and smaller like the size of βhα»§ tiαΊΏuβ. The beef toppings are various in both places but it is fair to say that the Southern version offers more exotic cuts of meat than the Northern one. To name a few, we would say tripe, oxtail, meatball, tendon, etc. The condiments are another big difference between the two types. Northern Pho is not complete without a few Chinese breadsticks, homemade chili sauce, and pickled garlic. On the other hand, Saigonese would love their Pho to be served with a plate of veggies (basil, bean sprouts, mintβ¦). Hoisin sauce is also Saigonβs specialty additive to Pho. This sauce makes Southern Pho even more characterized and unique.
6. Hanoi has the most yummy Pho dishes in Vietnam
The history of Phα» noodle soup has set several controversial debates for years but has a close connection with Hanoi - where the dish became popular. It is safe to say that Hanoi is the capital of Phα», not just because you can find plenty of traditional Phα» BΓ² eateries here, but also because youβll witness how Phα» diversifies with more tasty dishes youβd probably never tried before.
The biggest competitor of Phα» BΓ² in Hanoi must be Phα» GΓ . In the past, buffalo and cow slaughter was constrained due to its dominance in the rice industry. Therefore, the less consumption of Phα» BΓ² (Beef Phα») made way for Phα» GΓ (Chicken Phα») to exist. Not strongly infused by the beef bone and spices, Phα» GΓ boasts a more delicate flavor and the meat, is chewier than you might think because Hanoians prefer free-range chicken. Until now, Phα» GΓ is still available as widely as Phα» BΓ², from small street food stalls to the dining restaurants. Besides the soup version, Phα» GΓ Trα»n (dried Chicken Phα») is delicious as well.
Even though Phα» BΓ² is favored here, enjoying a bowl of hot noodle soup on a summer day when itβs scorching hot and humid outside will not be an appetite treat to many Hanoians. We guess you would feel that too! A local woman, Mrs.Chinh, then invented a new cold Pho dish that perfectly eased the hunger for noodles and beef, yet in a unique way. She put together the stir-fried beef, some cilantro, and lettuce inside the Phα» noodles sheet and wrapped it into bite-sized rolls. Thatβs when Phα» cuα»n exists.
Instead of the hot boiling broth, the Phα» Cuα»n is served with a separate sweet and sour dipping sauce made of fish sauce and some pickles. Fresh, meaty, and healthy, this dish can be eaten in any season. Her dish surprisingly made sense and became Hanoiβs signature delicacy of Phα». Now, the streets on Pearl Island, featuring NgΕ© XΓ£ - just 3 km from HoΓ n KiαΊΏm Lake, are dedicated to the Phα» Cuα»n and other dishes from Phα» noodles such as Phα» XΓ o BΓ² (Stir-fried Pho noodle with beef and veggies), Phα» ChiΓͺn Phα»ng (Deepfried Pillowy Pho), Phα» ChiΓͺn Trα»©ng (Deepfried Pho noodle with egg). If you are trying to look for Pho noodle soup in this area, youβd better give up because itβs definitely not the star of the show.
Phα» is not a single dish as you might think, it is a broader range of dishes with different flavors, textures and stories about Vietnam. Come and visit this beautiful country to understand more deeply about local culture and start your mind-blowing Phα» journey.